Mixed and Mastered
Mixed and Mastered is the podcast where the untold stories of the music industry come to life. Hosted by Jeffrey Sledge, a veteran music executive and former VP of A&R at Atlantic Records and Jive Records, each episode dives deep into the journeys, challenges, and triumphs of the people shaping the sound of today. From label executives and producers to artists, songwriters, and managers, Jeffrey brings you behind the scenes to meet the minds driving the industry forward. There’s a gap in the marketplace for these voices, and Mixed and Mastered is here to fill it—one conversation at a time. Because the best stories are told by those who lived them.
Episodes
On this week's Mixed and Mastered Jeff chops it up with Paul “DJ P” Stewart—Crenshaw-raised connector, A&R whisperer, and music-supervision ace. We hit his come-up at Delicious Vinyl (Tone Lōc, Young MC), managing The Pharcyde, and the day Coolio cut the bones of “Gangsta’s Paradise” in Paul’s living room. Then the Def Jam era: bringing in Warren G (triple-platinum lifeline), plus Domino and Montell Jordan (“...
Jeff chops it up with Yvette Love Dávila—yes, DÁ-vi-la, accent and all—about a life that runs from East New York block parties to the executive suites and back to the heart. We trace her come-up through Violator with Chris Lighty, road-managing Angie Martinez, a pit stop in politics with Sen. David Paterson (featuring the recurring villain/hero, Lenny the Barber), then into the Arista/Def Jam blast furnace under L.A. ...
From graffiti tags to global playlists, Rob “Reef” Tewlow has been at the center of hip-hop’s evolution for 30+ years—and this episode maps the whole arc. Reef walks us through NYC in the late ’70s/’80s, bounces from BU to NYU, and lands at The Source where he helps build the legendary mic-rating system and champions era-defining records. He then pivots to A&R at Atlantic/Big Beat (Artifacts, Lil’ Kim, Junior M.A....
In Part 2 of our conversation with Datwon Thomas, we trace his path from creating King Magazine to producing some of the biggest shows on television. He shares how his vision for a lifestyle publication—once rejected—became a cultural force that gave us iconic covers with stars like Tyra Banks, expanded into Rides Magazine, and helped launch XXL’s legendary Freshman List.
Datwon opens up about his leap from print to di...
From Brooklyn to Tokyo and back again, Datwon Thomas’ story is as global as it is deeply rooted in hip-hop. In Part 1, he shares how growing up during the crack era, moving to Japan in the mid-’80s, and facing both culture shock and racism shaped his worldview long before he became an architect of music media.
Datwon walks us through his early hustle—interning at VIBE, boldly cold-calling XXL’s Reginald Dennis, and tur...
In Part 2 of our conversation with Lisa Cambridge-Mitchell, we follow her journey from LaFace Records—where she went from publicity to marketing and helped launch Usher’s My Way—through the politics of Arista, HBO’s digital experiment, and Jive Records. She shares raw stories of industry clashes, the reality of being paid not to work during her most lucrative years, and the constant challenges of being a Black woman e...
In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Jeffrey Sledge welcomes industry vet Lisa Cambridge-Mitchell for a deep dive into her early life and rise in music. From growing up in New York and navigating a volatile home, to founding We Three Marketing and landing at Uptown and LaFace, Lisa shares candid stories of resilience, risk-taking, and working with icons like Andre Harrell, Mary J. Blige, and TLC.
A raw an...
This week, Jeffrey sits down with the incomparable Caron Veazey — a music industry force whose career has spanned MCA, Epic, RCA, Island Def Jam, global marketing at Sony, and nearly a decade managing Pharrell Williams. Caron shares her journey from growing up in the DMV to discovering the music business at NBC’s Saturday Night Live, championing artists across genres, and helping shape landmark moments like Rage Again...
In this special Best Of episode, Jeffrey Sledge celebrates the first 25 episodes of Mixed and Mastered by revisiting three unforgettable moments that capture the soul of the series. From Faith Newman’s raw, hilarious, and inspiring stories of being one of the first five employees at Def Jam, to Joseph Patel’s emotional journey from Sundance to Oscar night (yes, that Oscars), to Grace Harry’s behind-the-scenes insight ...
This week on Mixed and Mastered, host Jeffrey Sledge sits down with journalist, tastemaker, and cultural force Emil Wilbekin for a deeply personal and powerful conversation. From his roots in Cincinnati to shaping the voice of Vibe Magazine during hip-hop’s golden era, Emil reflects on the journey that made him one of the most influential Black voices in media.
They talk fashion, identity, HBCU pride, and breaking barr...
Prepare for an electrifying episode of "Mixed and Mastered" as Jeffrey Sledge sits down with the legendary Wardell Malloy! Journey from the vibrant streets of the Bronx to the epicenter of the music industry, where Wardell shares his incredible path, working alongside icons like Chris Brown, Trey Songz, and Mariah Carey. Dive into the art of mentorship, the thrill of discovering new talent, and Wardell'...
In Part 2 of our conversation with legendary A&R exec and producer Dante Ross, the ride gets even crazier.
Dante breaks down the highs and lows of his time at Elektra and Def Jam, working with iconic artists like Brand Nubian, ODB, MF Doom, and Everlast. He shares the wild backstory of Whitey Ford Sings the Blues—from late-night jam sessions to a near-fatal heart attack that almost stopped the album befor...
This week on Mixed and Mastered, Jeffrey Sledge sits down with legendary music executive, producer, and A&R Dante Ross for Part 1 of a deep dive into his extraordinary journey.
From growing up on New York’s gritty Lower East Side to immersing himself in punk rock, graffiti, and skateboarding, Dante shares how music became his first true escape. He talks about the artists who shaped his taste – from Chuck Berry to T...
In this episode of Mixed and Mastered, Jeffrey Sledge sits down with legendary songwriter and producer Jasper Cameron to explore his journey from Atlanta church pews to crafting chart-topping hits. Jasper shares how Atlanta shaped his view of success, the church’s role in honing his talent, and how mentors like Dallas Austin opened pivotal doors.
They dive into Atlanta’s tightly knit music scene, the rise of ...
From the heart of Harlem to the red carpet at the Met Gala, Kwasi Kessie’s journey is stitched together with culture, community, and style. In this episode of Mixed and Mastered, Jeffrey Sledge talks to the the stylist, runner, and creative force behind Lace Magazine and Kill Off Season. He shares how Harlem shaped his eye, how Foot Locker opened industry doors, and how working with BET and A$AP Ferg cemented his voic...
This week, Jeffrey Sledge sits down with the incomparable Grace Harry—creative executive, joy strategist, and a true behind-the-scenes force in the music industry.
From her early days in Brooklyn to her evolution from chef to artist marketer to founder, Grace shares an unfiltered look at her career, her creative collaborations, and the personal growth that shaped it all. They swap wild stories from iconic pho...
This week on Mixed and Mastered, O’Neal McKnight pulls back the curtain on a career that spans styling, music, film, and cultural impact. From his roots in South Carolina to interning at Motown and working alongside his late cousin Andre Harrell, O’Neal shares how he went from dressing stars like Usher, Jessica Alba, and Jermaine Dupri to becoming one himself. He breaks down the creation of Kosher Soul, producing TV s...
Here's your Extra Credit episode with Harlem’s own Terrell Jones, aka Terrellish. He took DJ Khaled and Fat Joe and made them fashion icons. Twenty years in, Terrell dresses stars and is putting hip-hop style into luxury fashion.
Our bonus questions for Terrell:
- Artist You Wanted to Style
- Three Favorite Designers
- Fashion Movie Recommendation
- Favorite Vacation Place
On this episode of Mixed and Mastered, we kick it with Rob Markman—Brooklyn-bred storyteller, journalist, and artist—as he rewinds to his roots in hip hop’s golden age. From bumping Ladi Dadi on cassette to catching inspiration from CL Smooth’s T.R.O.Y., Rob shares how the culture raised him and why storytelling remains the heartbeat of his music.
He opens up about navigating the grind—from freelancing for Vibe, Comple...
This quick-hit Extra Credit episode finds Jeffrey Sledge volleying rapid-fire prompts at industry trailblazer Vivian Scott Chew, who fires back with stories that prove a great A&R ear is equal parts instinct and heart. She recalls the one artist who slipped through her fingers, reflects on the eclectic mix of acts that still give her chills, and names the producers who defined entire eras of sound.
Vivian...
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